In Search for the Perfect Airgun Scope

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Nation, 

I like HEAVY rigs, so, if there's a 5 pound bulletproof scope out there, I'll buy it. As far as fixed powers, Leopold is an excellent option, several former National Champions use them.

Tom Holland 

Field Target Tech 

Fieldtargettech.com
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Find one Leupold fixed scope that focuses to 10 yards. I might consider buying it if it exists, but it would be out of my price range. I own the 3-9x33 efr. If it had a ranged reticle I would like it a lot better, but I am not going to send it back to get what should have been an option in the first place at the original price.
 
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I know most of you have variable power scopes. All of mine are, and guess what? I have them all turned up to max power and rarely turn them down. Doesn't it make sense for manufacturers to make fixed power airgun scopes at, let's say, 12, 16, 24, and 32 power and eliminate all that internal mechanical crap that costs a lot of money and affects precise operation? Maybe that way they can focus (pun intended?) on better optical quality, compactness, lighter weight, and lower cost. Oh, yeah, no more FFP/SFP either.
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I agree with you, but the market for scopes (sales) is mostly for variable zoom scopes. Yes, most people do like you and I do. We set the scope to a certain zoom level and leave it there. WHY? Because that is the level of magnification we like and because most variable scopes (even a lot of the super high dollar ones) don't hold a true zero throughout the magnification/zoom range. And a lot of them can't even hold a good zero when the focus has to be changed.

Fixed scopes *can* be MUCH better, but because most people *think* they *need* a variable scope, that is what sells better.

You have the right idea, but manufacturers are following a market trend, not what is logical from the standpoint of quality.

Yeah, I know I will get my a$$ handed to me by a few here, but facts are facts. A fixed power scope CAN be made that is better and cheaper than ANY variable powered scope but for now, that is not where the money is and you WILL pay for the *privilege* of owning a MUCH cheaper to manufacture quality fixed power scope. If you can find one...

Just my humble 2¢ opinion.



BTW, I do NOT recommend the SWFA SS 20x42 fixed scope. Apparently the 10x and maybe the 12x are OK, but I only have experience with the 20x and none of the reviews I read/viewed on YT told me about the EXTREME problems the 20x has concerning light aberrations. Under *PERFECT* lighting conditions it is pretty good, but that is only about 10% of the time. The other 90% of the time I am trying to get a sight picture in the tiny eye box that is clouded with the least bit of light that is not the target. I won't buy another SWFA scope and blame a one eyed YT reviewer for my error in buying this one.

BTW, I shoot from 12 feet inside my house through an open window most of the time, so that should tell you how bad the light aberration problems are!
 
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In “theory” if used at known distances on clear targets a fixed power scope work well. In “practice” many, myself include find fixed power scopes to be limiting. As in having less versatility in actual usage. I’ve gained weight over the years, so a few more ounces on my scope is not an issue. All within reason of course. For field use? A fixed powered scope is a non starter for me.
 
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In “theory” if used at known distances on clear targets a fixed power scope work well. In “practice” many, myself include find fixed power scopes to be limiting. As in having less versatility in actual usage. I’ve gained weight over the years, so a few more ounces on my scope is not an issue. All within reason of course. For field use? A fixed powered scope is a non starter for me.
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pretty much in the same boat here. When in the field I like to have my scope set on low for target acquisition and zoom in for the shot if needed. A fixed scope could world if it has HUGE field of vision like MTC prismatic scopes. Those are too rich for my blood so I just bought the viper connect on sale on dvor and if it works as advertised then I MIGHT leave it in 10x and use it as fixed. 


maybe I’m lucky but with all my scopes which are all cheap in comparison, I had no issues holding zero through out the zoom range or focus. Hell the element helix’s turrets are far more accurate than all the more expensive scopes I tried and returned. 
 
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I know most of you have variable power scopes. All of mine are, and guess what? I have them all turned up to max power and rarely turn them down. Doesn't it make sense for manufacturers to make fixed power airgun scopes at, let's say, 12, 16, 24, and 32 power and eliminate all that internal mechanical crap that costs a lot of money and affects precise operation? Maybe that way they can focus (pun intended?) on better optical quality, compactness, lighter weight, and lower cost. Oh, yeah, no more FFP/SFP either.
Click to expand...


I agree with you, but the market for scopes (sales) is mostly for variable zoom scopes. Yes, most people do like you and I do. We set the scope to a certain zoom level and leave it there. WHY? Because that is the level of magnification we like and because most variable scopes (even a lot of the super high dollar ones) don't hold a true zero throughout the magnification/zoom range. And a lot of them can't even hold a good zero when the focus has to be changed.

Fixed scopes *can* be MUCH better, but because most people *think* they *need* a variable scope, that is what sells better.

You have the right idea, but manufacturers are following a market trend, not what is logical from the standpoint of quality.

Yeah, I know I will get my a$$ handed to me by a few here, but facts are facts. A fixed power scope CAN be made that is better and cheaper than ANY variable powered scope but for now, that is not where the money is and you WILL pay for the *privilege* of owning a MUCH cheaper to manufacture quality fixed power scope. If you can find one...

Just my humble 2¢ opinion.



BTW, I do NOT recommend the SWFA SS 20x42 fixed scope. Apparently the 10x and maybe the 12x are OK, but I only have experience with the 20x and none of the reviews I read/viewed on YT told me about the EXTREME problems the 20x has concerning light aberrations. Under *PERFECT* lighting conditions it is pretty good, but that is only about 10% of the time. The other 90% of the time I am trying to get a sight picture in the tiny eye box that is clouded with the least bit of light that is not the target. I won't buy another SWFA scope and blame a one eyed YT reviewer for my error in buying this one.

BTW, I shoot from 12 feet inside my house through an open window most of the time, so that should tell you how bad the light aberration problems are!
Click to expand...

PLEASE Don't blame any one eyed YouTube scope reviewer guy because he can't help it if he apparently has 

TERRIBLE POOR BLIND 

UM...NOT AS GOOD eyesight compared to ONLY a select discerning FEW of us here. 

I bought a whole bunch of scopes I had to return for refund based on many of the highly praised SAID recommendations. You really gotta have terrible eyesight to say they are clear. Don't hate because probably most people here have bad eyesight anyway who are perfectly happy with their scopes who can't see chromatic aberrations and milkiness and really don't mind terrible eyeboxes whom are REALLY happy to pay their hard earned money FULL PRICE for even if they cost 3x- 4x- 5x what they should actually cost based on what they actually get. It's a FACT that paying for brand labels make people blind too. Everybody on YouTube somehow get paid for the hits too regardless of sponsorship or not and it's making their living doing it so plz understand they are only doing their jobs and won't get more scopes to review once manufacturers get wind he tells it like it is like advising not to buy Vortex scopes recently I commend him for doing the right thng. No use sending him scopes that are DOA with very poor QC anyway.

The SWFA SS 3-15x42 would be on the money if priced at $300 IMHO but not at $699 compared to scopes that are clearer that cost 1/3 the price.

The SWFA SS to avoid are the 20x (totally unacceptable and a shame on SWFA for even selling this 20x) and 16x (boarder line so-so). I have an OLD $99 Simmons 44mag 6.5-20x44 front focus AO and $99 White tail Classic 6.5-20x50 front focus AO that are both clearer than the SWFA 16x and 20x that also gives the 3-15x42 SS a really good run as well.

I have a good number of SWFA SS scopes just regret the prices I paid even with discount that's all.

The 10x are fantastic worth the money IMHO.

Have yet to try their 12x and keeping fingers crossed it's at least as good as their 10x.


 
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BTW EVERYONE CHOP CHOP because (NEXT) ALL OF the Illuminated Sightron SIIIs are next to be all sold out giving all you 3 DAYS head start. I am buying ALL what's left.

I already bought all 26 of the remaining stock of the Illuminated Zero stop models but ONE GOT AWAY for some strange mysterious reason IDK HOW!!!





Who has the best deal on these?

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What I hear is “how come they can’t “ then I hear “it’s out of my price range”. Those two don’t go with perfection. I’ll throw in what I think is the perfect air rifle scope. The March FX 5-40. It’s expensive, yes. It parallaxes down to 10 yards and has a reticle that is usable at any power setting. Has clear glass throughout the magnification range and has no poi shift. It has a tricky eye box, but so what? It’s not like we’re dealing with recoil here. 
 
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Because that is the level of magnification we like and because most variable scopes (even a lot of the super high dollar ones) don't hold a true zero throughout the magnification/zoom range. And a lot of them can't even hold a good zero when the focus has to be changed
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You need to buy better scopes -- "high dollar" is not always "HGH QUALITY" and I think you've not experienced high quality.
 
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BTW EVERYONE CHOP CHOP because (NEXT) ALL OF the Illuminated Sightron SIIIs are next to be all sold out giving all you 3 DAYS head start. I am buying ALL what's left.

I already bought all 26 of the remaining stock of the Illuminated Zero stop models but ONE GOT AWAY for some strange mysterious reason IDK HOW!!!





Who has the best deal on these?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

TWO WORDS- CHOP and CHOP!!!

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/sightron-deal-is-back/
 
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BUT "SEE" here, lol. I'm still preaching from the soap box of scopeyness, that IQ isn't everything. Everything is actually "everything" about the scope. I'll be the first to admit the SWFA 3-15 doesn't have the best glass around, actually pretty dismal for the price, but hey they track and are durable. 

However my Athlon Argos BTR 6-24 tracks as well out to at least 5 mils, and has better glass. Normally I'd trust the SWFA 3-15 more if I were on a $3000 hunting trip though.

I forgot I had and sold a 20x SWFA a long time ago. It tracked well, had poor glass, l but was too "fixed" in the role I needed it for.

There's no getting around the quality found in expensive scopes, they do have "everything" well sorted out BUT nothing is perfect, or not perfect through the eyes of each individual concerning each feature the scope offers. I've fiddled with most of them, owned some, and I can find faults in each one.

To stay ON TOPIC for a change, and so we can all """appreciate""" even inexpensive modern scopes, I have a story to share. I was sponsored by a wealthy friend with a $5000 authentic Swedish M41B WW2 bolt action sniper rifle in 6.5x55 to compete in Vintage Sniper division. It had a AJACK fixed 4x scope on it which was a great scope back then. It was funny because sighting it in to center for left and right was accomplished with opposing screws on the mount which was a highly trial and error adjustment that took many rounds to get a dead center sight in. So no other choice to holdoff for any windage needed, and there were no hash marks in the reticle to use. The glass was poor, elevation adjustments crude which didn't track correctly, and it fogged up early in the morning, uh not much to like with this scope except some nestalgia. The local rule for scopes is for competitors to stay at 6x or lower for modern scopes. That poor old AJACK would be severely outclassed by my $159 MAP Athlon 4-16x40 SFP scope on 6x!!! I also borrowed other types of WW2 sniper rifles that had the appropriate WW2 era scopes on them that were basically awful, exception being the 8x Unertl Marine sniper scope.

Back to - what's perfect for you???!!!!




 
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You are the FOURTH person...

BTW- SWFA scopes weren't primarily designed nor meant for airgun use anyway.

They were designed and built intended for military firearm shooting snipers.
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So why do we even discuss these here? When I first got serious about air rifle competion in FT and BR, the long popular scopes like Bushnell, Hawke, Nikko and other old time stalwarts ruled. Then came Aeon, then came Athlon, then came Optisan, then a bunch of others that were dragged out to try to capture the airgun market. Some good, most no so because of crazy reticles, lousy ranging, weight, etc. Keep trying boys.
 
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You are the THIRD person who stated SWFAs don't have the best glass around BTW...

The SWFA SS 3-15x42 should retail for $299 IMHO based on optical quality for what you really get because the $259 Bushnell TAC 5-15x40 AO has very similar if not better glass and much better eyebox than the SWFA.
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I was saying this about the SWFA 3-15 here on AGN even before you decided to, wink, wink. There was a time that people almost worshipped these scopes like they were perfect. 

Versatility = Let's see, which scope would I rather have???, the Bushnell TAC or the SWFA, well its a no contest for the type of shooting that I do, SWFA all the way. FFP, mil reticle coupled with mil turrets, 6M close focus, and huge amount of elevation travel, also a shim zero stop can be adopted. SEE, like I keep saying, "its everything about the whole of the scope"!!!! 

Now if I were to hunt out to 50ish but mostly point blank shooting, I might opt for the Bushy.
 
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I know most of you have variable power scopes. All of mine are, and guess what? I have them all turned up to max power and rarely turn them down. Doesn't it make sense for manufacturers to make fixed power airgun scopes at, let's say, 12, 16, 24, and 32 power and eliminate all that internal mechanical crap that costs a lot of money and affects precise operation? Maybe that way they can focus (pun intended?) on better optical quality, compactness, lighter weight, and lower cost. Oh, yeah, no more FFP/SFP either.
Click to expand...


I agree with you, but the market for scopes (sales) is mostly for variable zoom scopes. Yes, most people do like you and I do. We set the scope to a certain zoom level and leave it there. WHY? Because that is the level of magnification we like and because most variable scopes (even a lot of the super high dollar ones) don't hold a true zero throughout the magnification/zoom range. And a lot of them can't even hold a good zero when the focus has to be changed.

Fixed scopes *can* be MUCH better, but because most people *think* they *need* a variable scope, that is what sells better.

You have the right idea, but manufacturers are following a market trend, not what is logical from the standpoint of quality.

Yeah, I know I will get my a$$ handed to me by a few here, but facts are facts. A fixed power scope CAN be made that is better and cheaper than ANY variable powered scope but for now, that is not where the money is and you WILL pay for the *privilege* of owning a MUCH cheaper to manufacture quality fixed power scope. If you can find one...

Just my humble 2¢ opinion.



BTW, I do NOT recommend the SWFA SS 20x42 fixed scope. Apparently the 10x and maybe the 12x are OK, but I only have experience with the 20x and none of the reviews I read/viewed on YT told me about the EXTREME problems the 20x has concerning light aberrations. Under *PERFECT* lighting conditions it is pretty good, but that is only about 10% of the time. The other 90% of the time I am trying to get a sight picture in the tiny eye box that is clouded with the least bit of light that is not the target. I won't buy another SWFA scope and blame a one eyed YT reviewer for my error in buying this one.

BTW, I shoot from 12 feet inside my house through an open window most of the time, so that should tell you how bad the light aberration problems are!
Click to expand...

PLEASE Don't blame any one eyed YouTube scope reviewer guy because he can't help it if he apparently has 

TERRIBLE POOR BLIND 

UM...NOT AS GOOD eyesight compared to ONLY a select discerning FEW of us here. 

I bought a whole bunch of scopes I had to return for refund based on many of the highly praised SAID recommendations. You really gotta have terrible eyesight to say they are clear. Don't hate because probably most people here have bad eyesight anyway who are perfectly happy with their scopes who can't see chromatic aberrations and milkiness and really don't mind terrible eyeboxes whom are REALLY happy to pay their hard earned money FULL PRICE for even if they cost 3x- 4x- 5x what they should actually cost based on what they actually get. It's a FACT that paying for brand labels make people blind too. Everybody on YouTube somehow get paid for the hits too regardless of sponsorship or not and it's making their living doing it so plz understand they are only doing their jobs and won't get more scopes to review once manufacturers get wind he tells it like it is like advising not to buy Vortex scopes recently I commend him for doing the right thng. No use sending him scopes that are DOA with very poor QC anyway.

The SWFA SS 3-15x42 would be on the money if priced at $300 IMHO but not at $699 compared to scopes that are clearer that cost 1/3 the price.

The SWFA SS to avoid are the 20x (totally unacceptable and a shame on SWFA for even selling this 20x) and 16x (boarder line so-so). I have an OLD $99 Simmons 44mag 6.5-20x44 front focus AO and $99 White tail Classic 6.5-20x50 front focus AO that are both clearer than the SWFA 16x and 20x that also gives the 3-15x42 SS a really good run as well.

I have a good number of SWFA SS scopes just regret the prices I paid even with discount that's all.

The 10x are fantastic worth the money IMHO.

Have yet to try their 12x and keeping fingers crossed it's at least as good as their 10x.

Click to expand...


If the extreme light aberration problem with the SWFA SS 20x had been fully tested and explained, I would not have bought the scope. Of course, the reviewer in question is a HUGE SWFA fan... or at least he was early in his YT scope reviewing career. I guess they were the first ones to pay him or at least stroke his ego and give him *free* stuff. BTW, I never said the word "hate". You brought that tired PC word into this thread, not me. (chuckle)

I still watch his reviews and he does put scopes through more than some reviewers, but he still does not put them through "real world" tests that would have shown the SS 20x for the turd that it is. Or at least, he does not include THAT in his reviews and has moved on to the HIGH dollar scopes which I am sure pay him more money, in one way or another.

Don't get me wrong. When lighting conditions are PERFECT!... It is a fairly clear scope that holds zero well and as far as I can tell has consistent/repeatable turrets. But I use hold over, so I can speak to that from experience. The other 95+% of the time, it is hard to get a sight picture.

Needless to say, I won't be buying another SWFA scope. So, good reviews for lame products can work the opposite way as well.

Now to see if Athlon will replace my Gen1 BTR 8-34 with a Gen2... oh well, even if they do, the Gen2 will still only focus down to 15 yards and ONLY at the lowest magnification... but it WOULD add a REAL zero stop if I ever decide to start clicking instead of using hold over... (sigh/chuckle/wink)
 
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